Some who ought to put means into the treasury of God will be receivers from it. There are those who are now poor who might improve their condition by a judicious use of their time, by avoiding patent rights, and by restraining their inclination to engage in speculations in order to obtain means in some easier way than by patient, persevering labor. If those who have not made life a success were willing to be instructed, they could train themselves to habits of self-denial and strict economy, and have the satisfaction of being distributors, rather than receivers, of charity. There are many slothful servants. If they would do what it is in their power to do they would experience so great a blessing in helping others that they would indeed realize that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” {3T 400.3}

Nogle, der burde bringe midler til forrådshuset, modtager midler derfra. Nogle, som nu er fattige, kunne forbedre deres stilling ved en forstandig anvendelse af deres tid, ved ikke at befatte sig med patentrettigheder og ved at lægge bånd på deres tilbøjelighed til at indlade sig i spekulationer for at skaffe sig midler på en lettere måde end ved tålmodigt, ihærdigt arbejde. Hvis sådanne, som ikke har haft fremgang i livet, var villige til at modtage undervisning, kunne de oplære sig til selvfornægtelse og streng (401) sparsommelighed og opnå den tilfredsstillelse at være uddelere i stedet for modtagere af velvillig hjælp. Der er mange sløve tjenere. Dersom de ville gøre, hvad der står i deres magt at gøre, ville de erfare en så stor velsignelse ved at hjælpe andre, at de i sandhed kunne forstå, at det er »saligere at give end at modtage«.